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Arts Ahead: Shadows, Pops and Merry Poppers

Olive Another as Maryand in the lastet production from Gold Dust Orphans.

BOSTON — Traditions take new and wild turns as a band of theater renegades reinterpret Mary Poppins, Tim Burton drops a vampire into 20th century Maine and the Boston Pops celebrate America's diverse music history with Steve Martin on banjo. Mary Poppers
Presented by the Gold Dust Orphans
At Machine (in the Fenway) through May 20th

Gold Dust Orphans give us another rollicking ride through the twisted imaginations of Boston's foremost comedic troupe with the musical parody they have been waiting a lifetime to present. "Mary Poppers" features Olive Another as Maryand other Orphan favorites: Ryan Landry, Penny Champayne, Bill Hough, Robin Banks and Delta Miles. The troupe is at their best with this show, which is fun and hits the heights of Orphan outrageousness.

Director Tim Burton's latest movie is a revival of the 1960s cult television classic, “Dark Shadows”.

In 1752 an family with a young son set sail to the new world to escape the mysterious curse that has plagued their family and they settle in Collinsport, Maine. Decades later, as the master of Collinwood Manor, the son, Barnabas, is rich, powerful and an inveterate playboy…until he makes the grave mistake of breaking the heart of Angelique Bouchard (Eva Green). A witch, in every sense of the word, Angelique dooms him to a fate worse than death: turning him into a vampire, and then burying him alive. Two centuries later, Barnabas is inadvertently freed from his tomb and emerges into the very changed world of 1972. He returns to Collinwood Manor to find that his once-grand estate has fallen into ruin and plenty of chaos ensues.

Burton has created a gothic comedy with an all-star cast, led by Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer and Helena Bonham Carter. It's delicious from start to finish

The Boston Pops led by conductor Keith Lockhart kicked off the 2012 season, “Visions of America”, with a gala opening night performance featuring Tony Award-winning icon Bernadette Peters. Celebrating the American musical traditions that weave together the imagination and spirit of our diverse nation, this season will feature the striking images of photo historian Joseph Sohm and his extraordinary photographs representing all 50 states. The season theme will culminate with the photos in a multi-media project, enhanced by the recorded narration of Clint Eastwood and featuring acclaimed vocalist Patti Austin.

During the 2012 spring season, catch comedian, author and musician Steve Martin and The Steep Canyon Rangers; John Williams will celebrates his 80th birthday by leading the Film Night; conductor Charles Floyd and the Boston Pops Gospel Choir give their 20th annual performance with American Idol’s Melinda Doolittle and gospel singer Crystal Aitkin and finally, don't miss a sports night complete with Fenway Franks as a special tribute to the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park.